Five Minutes for Mom is having a great contest (aren't they all?) - this time, they are giving away a Balance Bike.  This is a timely giveaway for me as Gracie got a new bike for her 9th birthday and has been trying to learn to ride (I wish I had known about these balance bikes when she was little).  Anyway, Ian, as usual, has to do everything that Gracie does, and I know he'd just love one of these balance bikes!

I was 4 years old when I received my first bike.  It was a small red biking with training wheels.  I don't exactly recall, but I would imagine that I got it for Christmas in 1974. I'm guessing it must have been a 16" bike.  I rode it with the training wheels, but could have never ridden without them.

A few months later, my dad was called to Italy for an extended business trip.  We lived in an apartment complex with an inner courtyard area.  There was a little boy, I believe his name was Luca, who had a TON of toys!  Despite the language barrier, I enjoyed playing with him.  He had the tiniest little bike I had ever seen (must have been like Ian's bike now - a 12" one).  Luca's dad taught me how to ride that thing, sans training wheels.  Don't ask me how I knew what he was saying - maybe he was able to speak some English, maybe someone translated, or maybe he spoke with his hands or something - anyway, I know he told me to get on that thing and pedal as fast as I possibly could.  Next thing I knew, I was riding that bike clear across the courtyard.  And, to my 5-year-old mind, that was quite large!

Upon our return back in the states, my parents promptly purchased a smaller bike for me, so that I could continue with my new riding ability.

All that to say this --- if you're in the market for a new bike for your children, DO NOT purchase up (thinking a larger bike will last longer).  Sure, it WILL last longer, but your child won't be able to enjoy it as much NOW. 

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Jun. 18, 2009 - You're soooo right!

Posted by Anonymous

Great advice. When you're teaching your child to ride without training wheels, but a bike where he/she can put her feet flat on the ground. That will give him/her the confidence to ride.

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Jul. 8, 2009 - Great story!

Posted by Anonymous

Thanks for sharing!
Kim
www.shopwithmemama.com

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